The wire skeg from Kari-Tek is standard in our kayaks as most people find it has the most suitable mix of ease of use and maintenance (please see mouse over effect of the kayaks and skegs in the section Sea kayak range). The skeg blade is a simple blade that pivots at one end. All standard kayaks have a moulded fibre glass skeg box.

The wire slider control box is fitted in the seam, not in the way and easy to use.

The standard glass skeg box is slightly smaller than the injected plastic skeg box that is used for the hydraulic skeg and skeg-rudder (please see Skegs in Custom features). If you think you might want one of these custom skegs in the future, you may want to go for the smaller, injected plastic skeg box when you order your kayak.

The back rest is fully adjustable. The adjustment buckle is situated in the centre of the back rest. Our new seats (from 2009) offers support to the lower back and at the same time allows the higher, narrower back rest to be adjusted so the paddler's back can be supported when leaning forwards.

Standard kayaks have the choice of a High performance glass seat or a foam seat.

The high performance seat (standard since 1/3 2009) is slightly tilted forwards for a more positive and dynamic paddling position. It has been designed to improve the paddler's posture and in turn will help the paddler achieve a more efficient forward stroke.Hip pads are provided and full foam pads are placed under the seat. These stick to the hull, come in different heights and will stop stones getting trapped between the seat and the hull.

The rear of the seat comes higher up supporting the paddler's lower back. The raised area also prevents the bottom being pinched between the back of the seat and the back rest.The seat comes with a built in lower back support, but can also be supplied with an optional extra backrest. This allows both lower back support and a narrow back band so support can be given even if the paddler is leaning forward.Two sizesThe High Performance glass seat comes in two widths. The narrower seat being suitable for the small or slimmer paddler size 8-10 down in UK female sizes (US: size 6-8. Europe: size 36-38), and approx 30″ waist in male sizes (US and Europe: size small).The wider seat for sizes above.The wider seat will always be fitted unless a narrow seat or foam seat is specified.

As standard it comes set in the middle position and can be set 12 mm (½″) forward or backward by the paddler depending on their needs. In our factory it can also be set higher if required, at least 25 mm (1″). With a bit of drilling and by purchasing some extra pads from us, it can also be set higher by the paddler. The High performance seat is also available as a retro fit kit. This comes complete with all the fittings and instructions to fit into any of our boats.

The foam seats is ½ a cm lower than the glass seat making it more stable. It is also simpler and less likely to damage. It can be raised and tipped forward or back using padding placed under the seat.The smaller, lighter kayaker will most often need the seat to be moved forward to stop the bow from being blown down wind.

The standard kayaks are made of fibre glass and are constructed from chop strand matt, woven cloth and polyester resin. We use a quality control mat and not a chop strand gun to laminate the hull.

Due to the shapes in the deck providing extra stiffness, the deck is a slightly lighter lay up than the hull. The standard lay up has been designed for all levels of kayaking and is ideal for the kayaker who really wants a durable kayak and is not too fussy about weight. The kayak will also come with an internal reinforced keel, and internal and external glass seams.The approximate weight of an Explorer made of fibre glass is 25-26 kilo including hatch covers etc.